Paul Carter leaving the University of Minnesota

Junior Paul Carter has decided to leave the men's basketball team so he can be closer to his sister, Bria, who is battling cancer in Chicago, according to a release from team officials.

Carter sent a letter to GopherHole.com's Nadine Babu early Wednesday to announce his decision to leave.

Here's the release:

The University of Minnesota basketball program and head coach Tubby Smith announced today that junior Paul Carter has decided to transfer from Minnesota to be closer to his sister Bria who is fighting cancer. Carter is on schedule to graduate this spring with a degree in communications.

“We appreciate everything that Paul contributed to this program in his two seasons in Minneapolis,” said Smith. “Our thoughts are with him and his family as his sister Bria continues her battle with cancer. We wish Paul the very best.”

Carter appeared in 63 games (seven starts) in two seasons at the “U” after transferring from Missouri State-West Plains Junior College. He will leave with career averages of 5.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 15.5 minutes per game. He averaged a career-high 6.3 points per game last season to go along with 3.7 rebounds per game.

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Marcus Fuller joined the Star Tribune in 2016 after 11 years covering Gophers sports – and just about every other team and league in town -- for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Before making the Twin Cities his home, Marcus spent two years in The Kansas City Star sports department. Marcus grew up in Hawaii and is a 2002 graduate of San Jose State. Follow Fuller on Twitter @Marcus_R_Fuller.